Ranikhet Tourism
Ranikhet or "Queen's meadow" named after a local legend is a quiet hill station high in the Kumaon Hill in the Himalayas. Situated at an elevation of 1829 meters, surrounded by snow capped hills and green forests, the town is also the home of the Kumaon regiment of the Indian Army.
This cantonment town was rediscovered by the British in 1869, who established the headquarters of the army regiment here. The town was frequently used as a summer retreat by the British and the surviving colonial bungalows are today a tourist's delight. The army maintains the cantonment and there are a few private hotels and resorts around here though there are a number of heritage houses, built in the colonial British style, converted into hotels.
The town is an ideal destination for a quiet holiday in the lap of nature. Nanda Devi and other tall Himalayan ranges are visible. You can enjoy trekking, walking, and relaxing amid the pollution free natural surroundings. Deodhar, pine and oak trees surround the town. Close by are scenic picnic spots and temples to visit in nearby towns. Ranikhet is close to Almora and the Binsar bird sanctuary. One can halt at Ranikhet before travelling to these places.
Shopping
Ranikhet has a fairly bustling market with a number of eating places and budget hotels scattered around. Sadar Bazar, Zaroori Bazar and Khari Bazar are the markets. You can get a good selection of woolens here apart from local woven shawls and carpets. Plum juice is a local specialty. The nearby Almora is the place to get copperware and Kumaoni handicrafts.
Places to see in and around Ranikhet
- The Mall- A good place to take walks. There are few shops and buildings here.
- Jhula Devi Temple- The temple has a number of bells of different shapes and sizes. An interesting place to visit.
- Mankameshwar Temple- This is a new temple at Ranikhet.
- Chaubatia Garden- One of the best picnic spots in the vicinity. It is 10 km from Ranikhet and is set amidst sprawling fruit orchards and terraced gardens. There are walking trails within the site. You can buy fruit products such as juices and jams.
- Golf Course- A nine-hole golf course is maintained by the army. There is a fee for using the golf course.
- Kumaon Regimental Museum- A museum of military memorabilia of the Kumaon regiment of the Indian Army is in the cantonment.
- Binsar Mahadev Temple- A famous Shiva temple located in the heart of pine forests is 20 km away.
- Sheetla Khet- The beautiful expanse of fruit orchards on the road between Ranikhet and Almora has a temple of Syahi Devi accessible through a mountain trail. This is also a popular camping site.
Places around Ranikhet
- Almora- The scenic district headquarters is 50 kilometers away. There are a number of temples here and an old world ambience with cobbled streets and wooden houses. The most famous temple is the Nanda Devi in the center of the town.
- Katarmal- It is located 17 km from Almora and has a famous sun temple.
- Manila- The temple of Manila Devi (the family goddess of the Katyuri kings) is 80 km from Ranikhet.
- Binsar Bird Sanctuary- The wildlife sanctuary in the broad leaf oak and Rhododendron forest is home to over 200 species of birds. It is located 30 km north of Almora and reached through a winding and picturesque mountain road. Binsar is the best place to view the high mountains peaks specially Nanda Devi.
- Chaukhutia- The small town 50 kilometers from Ranikhet has an old historic fort and a Kali temple worth visiting.
- Dwarahat- The town 32 km away from Ranikhet lies in the valley of the river Ramganga. The famous Doonagiri temple is atop a hill.
- Jageshwar- The famous pilgrimage spot is 36 km from Almora. The main attraction is a cluster of over a hundred 9th century stone temples some preserved by the Archeological Survey of India. The site of the temples is between thick cedar forests.
- Masi- A small village on the banks of Ramganga River is 50 kilometers from Ranikhet and has many temples such as Shiva temple; Bhurnis temple and Naithna Devi temple.
- Kasauni- A picturesque hill station 50 km north of Almora famed for its 300 km view of the Himalayas and for its similarity with Swiss landscape. There are many Ashrams here; Mahatma Gandhi stayed at Anashakti Ashram.
- Baijnath- A small ancient town in the Katyur valley 19 km from Kasauni has many stone temples.
- Delhi- The capital is 360 kilometers and connected through a motorable road.
